After the baptism of war between the Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties and hundreds of years of resistance to foreign invasions, the city was repeatedly destroyed and built, and reinforced again and again. It has gradually become a solid city with a circumference of twenty miles and a city wall two meters high.

It was harsh winter and the weather was cold. The Sui army poured buckets of water on the city wall. After a night of freezing, Dunhuang City had become an ice city. The two-inch thick ice layer wrapped around the city wall, as if it was covered with a

The ice armor is snow-white and crystal clear, and it shines with a magnificent ice blue color under the sunlight, like a dreamy castle.

In winter, defending the city is undoubtedly an advantage. Su Dingfang is not a fierce general who blindly attacks and kills. He studied under Li Jing and learned to use the right time and place to fight with all the favorable conditions around him. This is also what Yang Yuanqing sent him after repeated consideration.

An important reason for the Western Expedition.

The biggest feature of Dunhuang County is that it is located deep in the Gobi Desert, with deserted population and sparse vegetation. There are only three poplar forests around Dunhuang City, all of which were cut down by Su Dingfang. Many red willows that were born along the river are curved due to their appearance.

It is not suitable to be used as a siege weapon to survive.

Surrounded by dozens of personal soldiers, Su Dingfang immediately watched hundreds of soldiers cut down a poplar forest. This poplar forest covers an area of ​​more than ten acres and grows tall, thick and lush, although the trees in Dunhuang are not easy to grow.

, This poplar forest has a history of at least a hundred years, but Su Dingfang still ordered it to be cut down without hesitation.

The soldiers dragged into the city, and the head of the Soli, the Soli, was heartbroken when he saw it. This poplar forest was the private property of his family. It has a history of 150 years and has been cut down now.

When each big tree fell, the flesh on Soli's face shook violently, and his heart was like a knife cut. He finally couldn't bear the torment in his heart and went forward to beg Su Dingfang, "General Su, leave the tree."

Come down! Don't chop it again."

Su Dingfang shook his head and said coldly: "Master Suo, I understand your mood, but if I don't cut down these trees, the Tang army will cut them down and they will not be able to keep them."

"Then leave me one! This is the fireworks of my family, leave a tree for them to grow again!"

Su Dingfang looked at him and saw that he was begging, so he pointed the whip at the river. It was a new seedling that only grew last year. "That little tree can be left for you."

Although the little tree is young and tender, it is better than cutting it all down. Soli saw a soldier walking towards the little tree with an axe and he ran up in a hurry and shouted, "That tree was left to me by General Su,

You can't cut any more."

Su Dingfang shook his head. In this cold season, Tang Jun needs to burn fire to keep warm. Could this little tree be kept?

At this moment, a scout rushed from a distance and rushed to Su Ding's side for a moment. The scout immediately bowed to Shi Youxing: "General Qi found the Tang army, about 15,000 people, and had arrived at Yu.

Men County.”

"Who is the Lord?"

"Reporting to the general, it seems that it is Li Xiaogong, the King of Huai'an!"

"It's him!"

Su Dingfang talked to himself. He quickly estimated in his heart that he had about two hundred miles from Yumen County to Dunhuang County. If he marched day and night, he would arrive in Dunhuang County tomorrow afternoon. There was still some time left. He immediately ordered: "Speed ​​up the logging time, tomorrow

It wasn't done before noon, so a fire burned the woods."

After giving the order, Su Dingfang turned his horse and ran into the city.

The Tang army did not march day and night, but arrived at Dunhuang City at noon on the third day. Five thousand Tang troops were magnificent, with flags waving and magnificent. Under a handsome flag, Li Xiaogong was full of armor and stared at the cold eyes.

The empty and desolate Gobi Desert, wherever you see, there are only endless rocks and sand dunes. Occasionally, there are a few bushes swaying in the wind, but there is no tree.

At this time, Li Xiaogong was attracted by a once poplar forest. All the big trees were cut down, and only one stump that had been cut into messy trees. The ground was full of debris of trees, and there was still a tree by the river in the distance.

The lonely little tree was only the size of an arm, trembling in the cold wind. Li Xiaogong couldn't help but sigh, "The walls were clear and clear, and the Sui army did not leave them any chance."

Since the Tongguan incident more than two months ago, Li Xiaogong has been very low-key. He knew in his heart that the emperor was a little dissatisfied with him. This dissatisfaction was that he had made the incident of King Li Yuanji of Qi and did not take care of the emperor.

Face.

But Li Xiaogong did not regret it. If he did not punish him severely, Li Yuanji would destroy the entire Tang army. It was Li Shentong who was responsible for managing Hexi. After Li Shentong was transferred to negotiate with the Northern Sui Dynasty, he would temporarily lead the army in Hexi. Perhaps it was

After a Hongnong defeat, Li Xiaogong is now very cautious. He must not be careless and will suffer another defeat.

At this time, a scout chased after him, "Your Highness, Prince!"

Li Xiaogong held down the war horse. This was the scout he sent to Yiwu County to investigate the information. He immediately asked, "What's the situation in Yiwu County?"

"Report to the general, the Yiwu County Governor's garrison has surrendered to the Sui Dynasty, with more than 2,000 troops, but our army cannot get through! ...

"Why is this?"

"The Sui army guarded the most dangerous place in Xingxing Gorge. There were three thousand Sui army stationed there, which were easy to defend and difficult to attack. We could only pass by as merchants, and our army would need at least 30,000 people to capture it."

Li Xiaogong let out a long sigh. In fact, he didn't want to attack Yiwu County, but he couldn't find an excuse. This was the best. The Sui army defended Xingxing Gorge. His troops were insufficient, which was the best excuse.

Li Xiaogong was extremely unwilling to fight against the Sui army. Now that the morale of the Tang army is gradually recovering, if it is severely damaged by the Sui army, it will form a fear of Sui in the hearts of the Tang army, which will be extremely unfavorable to the future battle with the Sui army.

Since the rebellion of Taiyuan, the Tang army was unstoppable and maintained a record of winning repeatedly during the process of moving south and occupying Guanzhong. That was because Yang Yuanqing's army was restrained by the Turks in Fengzhou, and they were so smooth.

But since the Sui army's eastern expedition, the Battle of Taiyuan, the Battle of Jiangjun, and the Battle of Hongnong, the Tang army has been defeated repeatedly and was annihilated by the Sui army. Especially the internal strife in the Tongguan incident has caused the Tang army's morale to be turbulent and the morale is sluggish.

It is precisely for this reason that the Tang army fought against the Western Qin army, which was not as good as its own equipment and logistics. If Li Shimin had not been in command in Longxi, if there was no internal strife in the Western Qin army, the Tang army would have fought in a row.

After losing a series of losses, even the entire Longyou would be completely lost. This is the specific manifestation of the Tang army's beginning to face crisis. Under the cover of elite equipment, the morale of the army was disintegrating and the morale was sluggish.

Li Xiaogong's heart was as clear as a mirror. The Sui army did not know the truth of the Tang army for the time being. If the Tang army was discovered, he might even lose his life in Dunhuang.

"Look at your highness, Dunhuang City has arrived!" A soldier pointed ahead and shouted.

Li Xiaogong stared at the god and looked into the distance. He saw a city of ice crystals like jade standing in the wilderness several miles away. The sun shone with a magnificent luster. Li Xiaogong's face showed a hint of bitterness that could not be concealed. The Sui army had already

The entire Dunhuang City was wrapped in ice. How could he attack the city?

"Tell me my order, the army will camp three miles away!"

The Tang army began to set up camp three miles away. They did not bring any supplies such as camping in the battlefield, and used a large number of spears to penetrate the city and thorn forest to protect the camp tent. A large tent stood up and groups of soldiers ran to it.

Chisel ice by the river to get water.

Li Xiaogong personally deployed a camp. He attached great importance to food security. They went north this time to grab time. They traveled lightly and simply carried no amount of food. They could only last less than half a month. The rest must be transported by logistics food.

They confronted the Sui army.

A team of cavalry patrolled around and came back to report: "Your Highness, all the woods around Dunhuang County have been cut down by the Sui army. There are some red willows in the south, but there is no tree suitable for siege ladders.

.”

"I know, go and explore again!"

Li Xiaogong was very annoyed. They did not bring siege weapons. The Sui army was firmly guarding the walls and clearing the fields, so they could not find a tree suitable for siege weapons. Do they still need to let them go to Zhangye County to transport siege weapons?

At this time, Deputy General Shi Wanbao walked to Li Xiaogong and whispered: "Your Highness, this battle is very unfavorable to us!"

Shi Wanbao is a general of the Li Shentong faction. He was originally a powerful man in Chang'an. He was named Duke of the Yuan Dynasty by Li Yuan for helping Li Shentong seize Guanzhong. He was an extremely smart and cunning person. He found that the Sui army had no intention of fighting with them.

It was impossible to fight quickly, which made him very worried. Their army was Li Shentong's subordinates. If he was defeated in Dunhuang County, he would not be able to explain to Li Shentong when he returned.

We lack food and the food route is too long. Once our food route is cut off by the enemy, this battle will collapse without fighting. Moreover, the wind and sand are very strong, and the climate is extremely low at night. The soldiers are very complaining, it is better to withdraw the troops and go back!

The Emperor, the Sui army has already taken Dunhuang County, and we cannot win, so it is best to keep our strength."

Li Xiaogong sighed, "I just came today and withdrew. I can't explain it to the emperor. I will be laughed at by the Sui army. I will hold on for a few days first. If the situation is really bad, then consider withdrawing the troops. You should first calm the morale of the army and tell them the Sui army's food.

There are few soldiers and few, and they can't support them for a few days."

Shi Wanbao had no choice but to go to appease the soldiers. Even though he knew it was a lie, he could only deceive the soldiers to relieve their fear.

On the top of the city, Su Dingfang watched the Tang army camp. The other party did not even have a camp. Don’t they know the wind and sand at night in Dunhuang? A cold smile appeared on the corner of Su Dingfang’s mouth.

At night, the wind was raging, sand and dust were everywhere, and the howling sound of the bitter northwest wind was like the earth crying, which was terrifying. The eyes were covered in gray, and it was hard to see clearly within a dozen steps.
Chapter completed!